What is Kirill?

A while back, the DBM Group (London, UK) along with Digital Studios Microsoft MSN, asked my opinion on a new Sci-fi project of theirs, a ten episode series called Kirill, which can be viewed here, along with a brief introduction to the concept. These ten episodes are only the prequel to a much bigger drama that Digital Studios are aiming to get off the ground for early next year.

After watching the first few episodes, I was very intrigued. In the first episode we are introduced to Kirill, a desperate scientist and inventor, locked in a room with computers and retro-machines of questionable function that he is constantly fiddling with, juri-rigging and fixing up with pathetic materials including the all-purpose duct tape. Kirill madly works on some experiment as the days and nights pass by and he continues his obsessive quest to find a contact—the right contact—to deliver an important message. The episodes are meted out in small vignettes and comprise mostly of Kirill’s dark thoughts in his humble cell as the plot unfolds in a fractal puzzle. What is his important message? Why is he being detained, by who and what is intended for him?

When I went on the Kirill website, I found the premise quite intriguing:

Three scientists have vanished.
Two bloggers are under siege.
One man has an urgent message to deliver.
None of them are safe.

In a nightmarish hideaway, a desperate fugitive is risking his life to get a warning through to the outside world…

… And on the streets of London, a journalist and a college drop-out try to find out why research labs are being invaded by soldiers, before they become this sinister army’s next victims.

Meanwhile, a faceless and growing enemy is determined to hunt down all three and stop them finding each other, and getting the answers they need.

The longer the hunt takes, the hungrier the hunters become.

Five Episodes have already aired.

You can view the first four episodes on their site. Let me know what you think. I am finding it fascinating so far.

Nina Munteanu is an ecologist and internationally published author of novels, short stories and essays. She coaches writers and teaches writing at George Brown College and the University of Toronto. For more about Nina’s coaching & workshops visit www.ninamunteanu.me. Visit www.ninamunteanu.ca for more about her writing.

The Real Bionic Woman: Regrowing Body Parts…Who Needs Cyborgs?

Last year, the Bionic Woman aired to an audience eager for a sympathetic female super-hero in a high-tech world where medical advancements came from science fiction.

Nearly killed in a car accident, Jaime Sommers is saved by a cutting-edge operation that leaves her with advanced bionic prosthetics and implants that give her extraordinary new strength, speed and other artificially enhanced abilities. Sommers possessed nanomachines called anthrocytes which were capable of healing her body at a highly accelerated rate. It was a cool premise…

Reality has just collided with science fiction...again:

The ability to re-grow limbs and recreate organs in humans was demonstrated last week, as the U.S. Army disclosed details to a select group of bloggers and military observers about the technology for human cell rebuilding. Researchers re-grew a man’s fingertip and the internal organs of several test subjects using a technique called “nano-scaffolding”.

A very fine apparatus, a scaffold, made of polymer fibers hundreds of times finer than a human hair, are put in place of a missing limb or damaged organ. Much like a real scaffold, the nano-scaffold guides cells to grab onto it so they can begin to rebuild missing bones and tissue. “The tissue grows through tiny holes in the nano-scaffold, in the same way a vine snakes its way up a trellis,” writes Vito Pilieci of the Vancouver Sun. “after the body part has regenerated, the nano-scaffold breaks down, is absorbed into the person’s body and disappears entirely.” The nail, bone and tissue re-grew completely.

The military had re-grown whole bladders in people with bladder damage and were able to repair the wall of a woman’s uterus, reports Pilieci.

Back in June 2006, researchers from the University of Sheffield in England had used nano-scaffolding to repair skin damage in people with third-degree burns. In February of this year, a PhD student from Monash University in Melbourne, Australia, reported research that showed how nano-scaffolding could be used to repair nerve damage. And just a few weeks ago, researchers at the City University of Hong Kong, reported claims that nano-scaffolding would soon revolutionize bone grafts and implants.

What’s next? Jean-Luc Locutus?

Reference:

Pilieci, Vito. 2008. "Military learning to gro body parts." In: The Vancouver Sun, November 8, 2008.

Nina Munteanu is an ecologist and internationally published author of novels, short stories and essays. She coaches writers and teaches writing at George Brown College and the University of Toronto. For more about Nina’s coaching & workshops visit www.ninamunteanu.me. Visit www.ninamunteanu.ca for more about her writing.

In Flanders Fields...Lest We Forget (the Tragedy of War)

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead. Short days ago

We lived, saw dawn, felt sunset glow,

Loved, and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

Take up your quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

–John McCrae

Doctor Major (later Lieutenant-Colonel) John McCrae of the 1st Field Artillery Brigade wrote this poem on May 3, 1915 after the battle at Ypres. The poem was later published in "Punch", December 8, 1915.

Today is Remembrance Day in Canada. This 11th month, 11th day and 11th hour marks the time that the armistice of World War I was signed in 1918. This war that was to end all wars claimed thirty seven million casualties (killing 8.5 million).

World War I is increasingly recognized as the defining event of the twentieth century, "with its total wars, its genocides, its weapons of mass destruction," writes Dennis E. Shwalter, professor of history at Colorado College. "The First World War was a tragic and unnecessary conflict," wrote John Keegan, historian and author of The First World War. "It was nothing less than the greatest error of modern history," wrote Nial Ferguson in The Pity of War.

Could the First World War have been avoided? Could it have been confined to a scale that was not worldwide in its events and its influence? Could it have been shorter by years, with the saving of millions of lives? And could our century's saddest story have had a different ending? These are questions many historians have grappled with: what if England stayed out? What if Sir John French had taken his troops out of the line? What if the Germans won the Marne? What if Falkenhayn had convinced the German chancellor, Bethmann-Hollweg, to consider armistice?

Historian, Robert Cowley, in his book, What If? contemplates what even a truncated war would have meant to the twentieth century. What if... what if...

"Without the events of 1914," wrote Cowley, "we would have skipped a more sinister legacy, and one that has permenently scarred out lives: the brutalization the trench warfare, with its mass killings, visited on an entire generation. What men like Adolf Hitler learned in that first Holocaust, they would repeat twenty years later in every corner of Europe...There are times when you can measure the lasting effects of a trauna only by imagining their absence."

So, lest we forget...

Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it--Santavana

You may wish to read my previous posts on war and remembering, including one posted on Memorial Day.

Recommended Reading:

Tuchman, Barbara W. 1962. The Guns of August. Ballantine Books.

Cowley, Robert. Ed. 1999. What If? Pan Books

Willmott, H.P. 2003. World War I. DK Publishing. UK

Toulouse Goes to World Fantasy Convention, Calgary—2008: Part 2—Being There

The Collective Conscious

Cars…they move us all
To the place that becomes a much larger motif.
All of us.
Together.
Cars move us all but we, we are the engine
Fuel for the creative firefight
Fuel for the fire of the mind.
The thought that drives us to look up,
To look forward.
To move in the experience together.
Open.
Talking.
Connecting. Moving together.
Fast cars parked and idling fast.
For now…
— Steph Thevideoguy (written on a piece of scrap paper in a five-minute break during supper at the World Fantasy Convention)

And there was a response…

…Steph wrote a poem about cars and conscious
-ness
Was it a collection of the synergetic mind ****?
Or was it a matter of a single point
Of focus
Tapping into only the personal wealth of the soul?
An unexpected moment of light
Following a period of unfocused obliqueness.
An unexpected moment, a jewel of
Colour,
A wrench
Pulling on the heart, a push
To the creative mind.
A consciousness
Open to the collective.
—Virginia O’Dine (written in a five minute break after)

The World Fantasy Convention in Calgary drew a collective force of creative minds to one place. It was a singularity. We couldn’t help but surge with the energy that sparked through us all like the elegant arc of an epic story. It was everywhere…the surrealistic discussions in the hallways about the role of the artist: “it is the artist’s responsibility to be conscious.” … “the artist produces an unforgiving mirror to our souls.” …The energetic sharing of creative works, such as readings from stories and discussions about writing … The laughter of old friends greeting and new friends being made … The clinking of glasses in the bar, toasting achievements in all manners of artistic expression … And the cheerful gurgling of the mysteriously emptying hot tub—ah, but that’s another blog post…

The convention was a personal success for me on several notes. I already mentioned that meeting all my good friends and chilling with them was a highlight. The science fiction and fantasy community is like a huge family, supporting one another in our art and expression and sharing. I am honored to be included in it. Other highlights included:

• Meeting Heidi Lampietti, of Redjack Books, who has kindly agreed to publish a collection of my short stories.
• Doing several readings to an appreciative audience. I want to particularly thank Broad Universe for arranging a wonderful roster of readers and Edge Books for hosting another cool reading.
• Eating very well (thanks to the incredible hospitality suite) and
• Sharing drinks with great friends (a given)
  
  Photo Legend:

1. The Dragon Moon authors, editors and publisher (Gwen Gades) celebrate a good year
2. Steph Thevideoguy and cool poet contemplates whether the world is flat…or is it the beer?
3. Kay Kenyon, SF author, meets Toulouse (that sly rascal!)
4. Author Jay Lake buys Nina a drink (and makes her happy!)
5. Robert J. Sawyer meets an ecstatic fan (and gets a free desert!)
6. Bruce Taylor, Mr. Magic Realism, charms Toulouse (purring in contentment)
7. Heidi Lampietti of Redjack Books hosts a cool book launch (see Mr. Magic Realism in the mirror?)

Nina Munteanu is an ecologist and internationally published author of novels, short stories and essays. She coaches writers and teaches writing at George Brown College and the University of Toronto. For more about Nina’s coaching & workshops visit www.ninamunteanu.me. Visit www.ninamunteanu.ca for more about her writing.

Toulouse Goes to World Fantasy Convention, Calgary—2008: Part 1--Getting There

If I’d known that scoundrel would steal ALL the limelight with his insufferable charm and plain good looks, I’d have left Toulouse (pictured here with Karl Johanson of Neo-Opsis Science Fiction Magazine) at home…no I wouldn’t have. He’s just too cute.

Toulouse accompanied me on my over twenty hour drive to and from the World Fantasy Convention, held in Calgary, Alberta, this year. Hosted by toastmaster Tad Williams, this con featured guests of honor, David Morrell, Barbara Hambly, Tom Doherty and Todd Lockwood.

The World Fantasy Convention promised great things and delivered them. And I’m not just talking about that white chocolate cranberry-date-nut dip that had me loitering at the hospitality suite. Or all those midnight parties that served savory wine with salted almonds, sharp cheese and colorful conversation with interesting people like David Hartwell, Tor editor and impeccable dresser (gotta love those ties, David!) among many others. I’m not even talking about the hot tub that sprung a leak on the 18th floor at 1 am or the entertaining panels and readings, which rocked for both writer and reader.

What made the con great for me was seeing my old friends and meeting new people, all lovers of books and storytelling. Of course, as a professional writer marketing several projects, I’d come to “network”. I’d come to visit with and negotiate ongoing projects with my publisher/editors; I’d also come to meet new publishers and editors to promote my full range of long and short works.

…After parting with my very gracious co-drivers, Michael and Susan Walsh from Vancouver (fantasy and science fiction aficionados with a flair for appreciating good fiction no matter what form), I wandered the posh hotel corridors with a drink in one hand and Toulouse in the other, looking for mischief—er—adventure.

I was rudely eyeballing someone’s nametag on his chest, when I collided with the Prince George crowd that included authors, Lynda Williams (herself responsible for some pretty nasty intergalactic wars), Nathalie Mallet (who cages princes and kisses charming cats) and publisher Virginia O’Dine of Bundoran Press (rumored to have been somehow responsible for the hot tub fiasco).

I ran into the local crowd, like Randy McCharles (Convention Chair) and Jennifer Rahn, author of The Longevity Thesis, who was equally charmed by Toulouse's guile.

As I settled down to a wonderful conversation on art and artists with Bruce Taylor (Mr. Magic Realism), Toulouse just kept charming his way through the crowd right to the book fair, where Karl and Stephanie Johanson of Neo-Opsis Science Fiction Magazine offered him their own brand of mints. Bad mistake (never give children candy before an event).

Toulouse led me to the back where Anita Hades of Edge Books gave Toulouse her usual greeting (a feline move that was a cross between Sophie Marceau and Brigitte Helm; both she and Toulouse have French blood coursing through their veins, after all—c’est vrai!). I had a chance to catch up on life with Gwen Gades, my wonderful publisher at Dragon Moon Press; then, while Marie Bilodeau—another hot-blooded French writer—snagged me for a podcast interview with Edge, Toulouse slipped away into the oblivion of the bookish crowd. The sly cat!

I should have known that Toulouse would have followed his impeccable nose and end up at the bar adjacent to a fine Guinness beer. Of course, as Serendipity would have it, that’s where I met a very interesting person! More in Part 2...

Photos (from top to bottom):

Karl Johanson (editor, Neo-Opsis Science Fiction Magazine)

David Hartwell (editor, Tor)

Lynda Williams, Nina Munteanu (authors)

Nathalie Mallet (author)

Jennifer Rahn (author)

Anita Hades (Hades Publications)

Well, you know (our famous cat)!

Nina Munteanu is an ecologist and internationally published author of novels, short stories and essays. She coaches writers and teaches writing at George Brown College and the University of Toronto. For more about Nina’s coaching & workshops visit www.ninamunteanu.me. Visit www.ninamunteanu.ca for more about her writing.